Review Reinforces the Safety of Sucralose in Foods and Beverages
Overview of the Published Review
“Critical review of the current literature on the safety of sucralose” by Magnuson, et al., was published in Food and Chemical Toxicology in August 2017. The article provides a comprehensive review of animal and human studies conducted to evaluate the safety of sucralose. The extensive studies evaluated endpoints including possible effects on growth, development, reproduction, neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, carcinogenicity and overall health status. Magnuson, et al., also review the studies conducted in healthy subjects and in subjects with diabetes, and report the studies confirm lack of effect of repeated consumption of sucralose on any health parameters. Studies have shown that sucralose consumption does not result in changes to glycemic control parameters such as blood glucose or insulin, that are observed with sucrose or other carbohydrate containing sweeteners.
The review of literature also provides the definition of acceptable daily intake (ADI) and No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) and summarizes studies that show the estimated intakes of sucralose remain well below acceptable daily intake values.
Key Conclusion on Sucralose Safety
The authors state, “In conclusion, the extensive database of studies assessing genetic toxicology, short and long term safety, animal and human absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion, reproductive, development, and neurological effects and, most recently human clinical trials in healthy and diabetic subjects by numerous researchers provide a clear demonstration of safety of use of sucralose as a non-caloric sweetener in foods and beverages.”
Funding Disclosure and Citation
Calorie Control Council provided financial support for this literature review.
Magnuson BA, Roberts A, Nestmann ER. Critical review of the current literature on the safety of sucralose. Food Chem Toxicol. 2017 May 27. pii: S0278-6915(17)30281-8. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2017.05.047.
Related Resources
Read more about sucralose.
Read more about sweeteners.